Alloys on E36 3 series...too big??

CelticCub

On a seperate issue does anyone know what the max size wheels for a 3series are (E36)...am looking at buying one but the wheels on it are 20" and I'm concerned that they are too big especially as he has the sports suspension. I've heard that this can damage the gearbox also - anyone have any advise?

Gary ITR

Just separated this into a thread of it's own. You'll get a better response this way

Voodoomelon

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233190

19"s are as big as you can go without rubbing. 20"s would be far to big IMO.

Robbo

Voodoomelon wrote: »

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233190

19"s are as big as you can go without rubbing. 20"s would be far to big IMO.

I've read of people having to roll the rear arches on an E36 with 18s with a staggered setup. In Ireland, I wouldn't go above 17s on an E46. Style 32s with wider rears would look very nice.

Gumbo

the max i would go is 18".
although 19" will fit but will require work with the arches and that, i would be nearly certain that 20" would deffo need work.

CelticCub

Thanks for the advise - decided against buying it. 19" wheels with sports suspension and he got it lowered again by some local auto shop....not what I wanted to hear! The search continues!

quarryman

I've had 16, 17 and 18" wheels on my e36.

18s were awful, got rid of them asap.
17s were better but still not perfect.
16s (the originals) were spot on.

In my experience e36s are VERY senstive to what kind of wheels you have. I had tram-lining and all sorts of problems with larger wheels that i didn't have on other cars.

turnsoutIwas

One of the mods on bimmerforums has 20" wheels on his e36 coupe. I am sure he said that they fit without modifying the arches.

dodgeking

they should fit but u will have to roll the back arches they not to hard to do got mine done last week took the chap about 10 min to do both of them

rebel.ranter

17' alloys are about the biggest you should put on an e36, 20' might look cool but you might as well buy Fred Flintstone's car for the ride quality you'll end up with.

pburns

I have 17''ers on a Legacy and they've been fine the last year but I tell ya, if the councils aren't going keep spending money on maintainance my next car will have 16''...or heavean forbid some SUVy yoke:eek:

20'' are a bit chav on a 3 series anyway I think, you made the right decision...

colm_mcm

20's will wreck the driving experience and look silly. 18 max.

dylbert

I used to have 225/40/18's on mine, the ride quality was very hard and they rubbed against the wheel arch lining, I went back to 225/45/17 and its much better.